Narratives of internal migration experiences, health/well-being issues among females working as head-porters (Kayayei) in Ghana
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 10 December 2020
Issue publication date: 10 December 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the internal migration experiences and health/well-being issues of 38 girls and women working as Kayayei (head-porters) in Accra, Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from seven focus group interview sessions, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Findings
The results revealed the geographic, structural and family issues that promote increased migration of females to the cities. The findings betray the potential negative effects of migration on the participants’ quality of life, including accessing health services. They also suggest that the Kayayei phenomenon is a significant child protection, health/well-being concern yet to be given adequate attention in ways that consider the implications of such large internal migration of females on the overall human resource development capacities of rural communities.
Originality/value
This is an original study with data collected to explore internal rural to urban migration and its effect on health and well-being of young girls and women.
Keywords
Citation
Kuyini, A.B., Abukari, A., Mohammed, A.K. and Powell, H.O. (2020), "Narratives of internal migration experiences, health/well-being issues among females working as head-porters (Kayayei) in Ghana", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 511-525. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-07-2020-0068
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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